US20090031337A1 - Apparatus and Method for Blocking Television Commercials and Providing an Archive Interrogation Program - Google Patents
Apparatus and Method for Blocking Television Commercials and Providing an Archive Interrogation Program Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090031337A1 US20090031337A1 US12/253,818 US25381808A US2009031337A1 US 20090031337 A1 US20090031337 A1 US 20090031337A1 US 25381808 A US25381808 A US 25381808A US 2009031337 A1 US2009031337 A1 US 2009031337A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- television
- television signal
- signal
- search
- user
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
- H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
- H04N21/854—Content authoring
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
- H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
- H04N21/4542—Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/458—Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/466—Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
- H04N21/4828—End-user interface for program selection for searching program descriptors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
- H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
- H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
- H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
- H04N7/163—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing by receiver means only
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for blocking undesired television commercials and providing a program for creating an archive of the blocked television commercials and for interrogating the content of the blocked television commercials for later access.
- television viewers generally do not prefer to have periods of interrupted programming or “dead air” when they are viewing a program. It would be preferable if the blocked commercial could be replaced with user-defined alternative programming.
- Application Ser. No. 10/116,613, “Apparatus and Method for Blocking Television Commercials and Displaying Alternative Programming” disclosed a logical unit and a commercial blocking program in the logical unit to allow alternative viewing options so that the user may define the alternative programming to replace the unwanted communication.
- the commercial blocking program breaks all incoming television signals into time, video and audio components and is able to recognize specific commercials based on those components.
- the commercial blocking program Upon viewing an unwanted commercial, the user indicates that he wants to block the commercial through one of a variety of input methods.
- the commercial blocking program then prevents the commercial from being displayed on the user's television and causes alternative programming to be displayed instead.
- the user may configure the alternative programming via the alternative programming logic.
- the user may configure the alternative programming as a universal television channel, based on the specific commercial, based on the television station, based on the time of day, or based on an elaborate viewing hierarchy.
- the commercial blocking program displays the television program that was originally displayed on the user's television.
- the commercial blocking program can buffer the various television programs received from the cable provider and record segments of the cable signal based on certain keywords.
- the commercial blocking program searches for user defined keywords, records television programs complying with the search terms, and displays the recorded television programming stored in the memory.
- Application Ser. No. 10/105,124 “Apparatus and Method of Searching for Desired Television Content”
- Multiplexed cable signals flow thorough a logical unit which buffers text associated with the voice stream of each station via the pre-encoded closed-captioning signal or through the real-time voice translation within the logical unit.
- the user then enters search terms through one of a variety of different input devices.
- the logical unit will compare the entered term with those available keywords stored in each buffer. Lexical parsing associates terms which may differ from plural to singular forms or in tense. Additionally, synonym comparisons may be made.
- the logical unit will return a list of matches for the search criteria and allows the user the option of going directly to the television program.
- the logical unit also evaluates each returned item for its relevancy to the keywords.
- the logical unit maintains a quiescent but monitoring state permitting continuous creation of lexical buffers. This permits the user who turns the television on to immediately have such search terms available.
- the logic is implemented at the cable provider and enabled through interactive links to the home. In that case, the home logical unit is unnecessary.
- the present invention which meets the needs stated above, is an apparatus and method for blocking specific television commercials from the viewer's television based upon the characteristics of the television commercial and a program to place the blocked television commercials into an archive.
- An archive interrogation program then acquires the users search criteria and sends the search criteria to the content search program for a list of matches. The matches are displayed to the user and the user can select a segment for viewing.
- FIG. 1 is an illustration of the invention interacting with a cable provider and a television.
- FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the commercial blocking program.
- FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the commercial blocking program.
- FIG. 2C is a flowchart of the commercial blocking program.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the search program.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the archive program.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the archive interrogation program.
- FIG. 6 is a depiction of the data processing system contained within the logical unit.
- “Alternate viewing” means content displayed in place of a blocked commercial and may include one or more of the following: (1) a brief message displayed to inform the viewer that alternative programming will be presented during the commercial interval; (2) an on-screen counter, showing how many seconds are left before the planned return to primary viewing; and (3) directions to the tuner to go to a particular station.
- the directions to the tuner may be universal, by commercial, by originating station, by time of day, by definition of an elaborate viewing hierarchy, or to a micro-programming station or to buffered microprogramming.
- Alternate viewing provider means an entity that offers micro-programming to a user for display in conjunction with a logical unit.
- “Archive” means a copy of one or blocked commercials that are saved for future reference or research.
- “Buffered” means an alternate viewing package stored in the memory of a logical unit or at the cable service provider so that synchronization problems between the “switchover” point and the alternate programming delivery do not occur.
- the logical unit can draw from a buffered alternate viewing package so that the user does not risk joining the alternate viewing package in progress.
- “Buffering” means a process of examining the closed captioning text or audio signal associated with television signals and configuring the examined signal such that it may be searched for specific keywords.
- “By commercial” means using content from a particular station to replace the specifically identified commercial.
- “By originating station” means using the original station to determine the alternative content which will replace all blocked commercials.
- “By time of day” means using the time of day to determine which station to use as alternative content for all blocked commercials.
- “Cable provider” means a company which provides television service to multiple users and includes satellite television providers.
- Component signature is a group of variables, based on a time component, an X video component, a Y video component, and an audio component, that is used to identify a commercial from all other commercials when a “unique digital identifying tag is not available.
- “Cumulative digital signature” means the aggregation of one or more selected characteristics of a data sequence to provide a unique number for identification of the complete data sequence.
- “Elaborate viewing hierarchy” means a combination of a plurality of universal, by commercial, by originating station, or by time or day alternative viewing formats.
- “Lexical parsing” as used herein means a process of finding matches to a desired search term by comparing the desired search term letter-by-letter with the terms in an available database.
- Micro-programming means one or more “alternate viewing packages” that each contain a complete information exchange or an entertainment package in a segment of time that is adapted to fit into the time available from one or more commercials blocked by a logical unit.
- an alternate viewing package could contain news headlines, weather updates, sports updates, or very short live action or animated shorts that are designed to entertain the user in a crisp, concise segment.
- An alternate viewing package would normally be thirty or sixty seconds in length but could be designed for any length of time that a logical unit could make available.
- Multiplex means the process of funneling several different streams of data over a common communications line.
- “Staggered time alternate viewing package” means an alternate viewing package broadcast on start times that are staggered for a number of seconds to coincide with the time slots of blocked commercials. For example, an alternate viewing package may start at the top and bottom of the minute on a given station, and at 15 and 45 seconds on another station. Accordingly, the station with the alternate viewing package start time closest to the start time of the blocked commercial would be chosen.
- Time synchronized means an alternate viewing package, delivered on demand in which the user joins the broadcast at the exact start point of the micro-program.
- “Unique digital identifying tag” means a number sequence before the header and after the trailer of each commercial. The number sequence is assigned according to an industry standard that allows each commercial to be identified from every other commercial.
- Universal means using content from a particular station to replace all blocked commercials.
- FIG. 1 is an illustration of the invention 100 interacting with a cable provider and a television set.
- the depiction of the cable provider is by way of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be used with either a cable or wireless data transmission system.
- the cable provider (not shown) provides a television signal through a coaxial cable 102 that runs through the user's wall 104 and into logical unit 106 .
- Logical unit 106 analyzes the cable signal as described below and displays the information on television 110 via television connection 108 .
- Logical unit 106 can optionally be combined with television 110 .
- logical unit 106 may be placed at the same location as the cable provider such that it is unnecessary to have logical unit 106 at the user's location.
- FIG. 2A is a flowchart of commercial blocking program 200 which operates inside logical unit 106 .
- Commercial blocking program 200 starts ( 202 ) whenever multiplexed cable signals are broadcast ( 204 ).
- each commercial has a unique digital identifying tag, similar to a serial number, which identifies a particular commercial.
- Logical unit 106 recognizes a particular commercial based on the unique identifying tag.
- logical unit 106 identifies commercials by a “component signature.”
- Multiplexed cable signals are defined by four components: a time component, an X video component, a Y video component, and an audio component. Every television program and/or commercial can be readily identified by these components. There is generally allowed some amount of time skew in the synchronization of the four components to identify the absolute beginning of a program or commercial.
- commercial blocking program 200 can identify a particular commercial. For example, a given pattern of video/audio signals occurring at a time “delta” (perhaps but not necessarily in the order of 500 microseconds) around the nominal beginning of an advertisement, may point back to a specified commercial.
- logical unit 106 establishes an “overall digital signature” for a particular commercial.
- the signal need not be dissembled into its video/audio components as in the “component signature,” but rather, analysis of cumulative digital characteristics may be used to identify the commercial to be blocked.
- One or more characteristics of a data sequence is selected and aggregated to provide a unique number for identification purposes of the complete data sequence. The advantage of using cumulative digital characteristics is that all commercials could be blocked using this technique.
- the logical unit develops a library at the set-top of the “overall digital signature” of the blocked advertisements.
- T sample time interval
- T sample may be a sub-second or it may be multi-second, depending on the processing power behind the logical unit and the uniqueness of the commercial.
- the user has the option of blocking the commercial ( 206 ) by means of commercial blocking program 200 located in the local memory 209 of logical unit 106 (See FIGS. 1 and 6 ). If the user chooses not to block the commercial, then commercial blocking program 200 allows the commercial to air ( 207 ) and returns to step 206 . If at step 206 the user chooses to block the commercial, then the logical unit will block the commercial ( 208 ). In blocking the commercial, the logical unit prevents the specific commercial from displaying on the user's television and displays alternative content instead ( 210 ). After commercial blocking program 200 has displayed the alternative programming, the original programming of the original television channel is displayed ( 212 ) and commercial blocking program 200 ends ( 214 ).
- commercial blocking program 200 can display on the user's television instead of the blocked commercial.
- commercial blocking program 200 can display a blank screen for the duration of the blocked commercial.
- commercial blocking program 200 displays the programming according to alternative programming logic 250 in FIGS. 2B and 2C .
- Alternative programming logic 250 starts ( 252 ) and queries the user if he or she would like to define the alternative programming as a universal television channel that will replace all blocked television commercials ( 254 ).
- a universal television channel is one which will display the contents of a specific television channel on the user's television whenever the blocked commercial airs. For example, whenever a blocked commercial airs, commercial blocking program 200 will cause the The Weather Channel to be displayed.
- a universal television channel may include Web TV or any programming variation that may be made available to the user of the television to which the logical unit is connected. If the user determines that they would like to select a universal alternative channel, then the user specifies which channel is the universal television channel ( 256 ) and alternative programming logic 250 ends ( 294 ). If at step 254 the user determines that he or she would not like to select a universal television channel, then alternative programming logic 250 queries the user if he or she would like to define the alternative programming based on the blocked commercial ( 258 ). Alternative programming based on the blocked commercial will display a particular television channel whenever a specific blocked commercial airs. For example, whenever commercial X airs, commercial blocking program 200 will cause The Weather Channel to be displayed.
- alternative programming logic 250 queries the user whether he or she would like to define alternative programming based on the television channel ( 262 ).
- Alternative programming based on the television channel will display television content based on a preferred television channel and a contingent television channel when the blocked commercial airs. For example, whenever a blocked commercial airs, The Weather Channel will be displayed, and in the event The Weather Channel is already being displayed, then CNN will be displayed.
- alternative programming logic 250 queries the user whether he or she would like to define alternative programming based on the time of day ( 266 ).
- Alternative programming based on the time of day displays a specific television channel depending on the time of the blocked commercial. For example, if the blocked commercial airs before noon, The Weather Channel will be displayed, and if the blocked commercial airs after noon, CNN will be displayed.
- alternative programming logic 250 queries the user whether he or she would like to define alternative programming based on an elaborate viewing hierarchy ( 270 ).
- An elaborate viewing hierarchy is a combination of the alternative programming determinations in steps 254 , 258 , 262 , and 266 .
- one possible elaborate viewing hierarchy would be “whenever a blocked commercial airs, display The Weather Channel; however, if there is also a blocked commercial on The Weather Channel, then go to CNN before noon and CNBC after noon.”
- the elaborate viewing hierarchy may offer the user the option to “mix and match” various combinations of blocked and unblocked signals. For example, the user may select a split screen option where the blocked commercial appears in a portion of the screen while alternate programming appears in the remaining portion of the screen.
- the user may select an option that will display alternative programming while also displaying the close captioned text of the blocked commercial. Further in the alternative, the user may elect to have more than one alternate programming option displayed. For example, the user may elect to have a split screen display CNN on one portion of the screen and the Weather Channel on the other portion of the screen. If the user would like to define an elaborate viewing hierarchy, then the user enters the appropriate information (i.e. time, channel, and commercial) to define the hierarchy ( 272 ) and alternative programming logic 250 ends ( 298 ). If at step 270 the user determines that he or she would not like to define an alternative viewing hierarchy, alternative programming logic 250 goes to step 282 (See FIG. 2C ).
- step 282 a determination is made as to whether the user wants to select micro-programming. If the user does not want to select micro-programming, alternate programming logic 250 ends ( 298 ). If at step 282 the user determines that he or she wants to select microprogramming, a determination is made as to whether staggered time alternate viewing packages are desired ( 284 ). If staggered time alternate viewing packages are desired, then the selection is entered ( 286 ) and alternate programming logic 250 goes to step 296 . If staggered time alternate viewing packages are not selected, then a determination is made as to whether the user wants to select time synchronized alternate viewing packages ( 288 ).
- alternate programming logic 250 goes to step 296 . If the user does not select time synchronized alternate viewing packages, then a determination is made as to whether a buffered alternate viewing package is desired ( 292 ). If a buffered alternate viewing package is desired, then the selection is entered ( 294 ). If a buffered alternate viewing package is not desired, then a determination is made as to whether another selection is made ( 296 ). If another selection is to be made, alternate programming logic 250 goes to step 284 . If another selection is not to be made, alternate programming logic 250 ends ( 298 ). A default option may also be available if the alternate viewing service provider plays continuously broadcast alternate viewing packages. In that case the default option would be that the television would move to the alternate viewing broadcast at the time of the blocked commercial and pick up the alternate viewing package playing at that time.
- a negative determination at step 296 would send the user back to step 254 so that the options may be viewed again.
- the user can then enter search criteria and search program 200 will record the television signal based on the specific time, channel, and/or keywords. For example, whenever “and now your local forecast” is found in the audio component of the cable signal for The Weather Channel, logical unit 106 can record the accompanying local forecast. Additionally, logical unit 106 can be set to record a specific show. For example, logical unit 106 could be set to record the 11 a.m. Sports Center on ESPN. In either case, the recorded programming can be displayed in place of the blocked commercial.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the search program contained within logical unit 106 of the present invention.
- Search program 300 starts ( 302 ) and logical unit 106 receives the cable signal transmitted by the cable provider ( 304 ).
- the cable signal is multiplexed and comprises at least a visual signal, an audio signal, and a closed caption text signal.
- the multiplexed cable signal is not limited to real-time cable programming.
- the multiplexed signal may also contain information regarding past and future television programs.
- search program 300 continuously buffers the transmitted multiplexed cable signal ( 306 ).
- search program 300 obtains the closed-caption text from the cable signal and store the words contained in the captioning text along with the television channel number and time of the television program.
- search program 300 can buffer the television signal by analyzing the audio signal and buffering the keywords from the audio signal.
- the text buffering described above is known in the art.
- the buffering process is not limited to one television channel or one specific time period. If a user desires to buffer different channels at different times, then the user may do so by means of search program 300 . For example, if search program 300 has ten hours of buffering time available, the user can have search program 300 buffer ten hours of a channel such as Cable Network News (CNN).
- CNN Cable Network News
- search program 300 can buffer four hours of CBS, four hours of CNN, and two hours of the weather channel. Furthermore, the buffering times do not have to be similar. The user can define the CBS buffering time from 5 am to 9 am, the CNN buffering time from 8 am to noon, and the weather channel from 1 pm to 3 pm. Additionally, search program 300 is not limited to the English language. Search program 300 is capable of buffering television in multiple languages simultaneously. Thus, at any given time search program 300 is capable of buffering an enormous variety of television programs.
- search program 300 The user then enters keyword terms that represent the search criteria for search program 300 ( 308 ).
- the search terms can be entered via a keyboard, stylus, infrared port, or on-screen programming.
- search program 300 will recognize conventional Boolean search terms such as “AND”, “OR”, and “NOT”.
- Search program 300 is capable of accepting wildcard search terms. For example, the wildcard search term “run*” would search for run and all possible variations such as runner, running, runners, and so on.
- Search program 300 also compares each of the search terms to a dictionary database. If any of the search terms are not in the dictionary database, search program 300 will determine related words using lexical parsing and query the user if the terms are relevant to the desired search.
- Search program 300 is also capable of resolving ambiguities in entered search terms by comparing the search terms to the dictionary database. Those skilled in the art are aware of how to configure a search program to resolve ambiguities.
- the query step can be removed where search program 300 automatically adds the lexically parsed words to the list of search terms.
- the search criteria can comprise a date restriction (i.e. only today's programs, only programs on this week, or only programs on Tuesdays).
- the search criteria can comprise restrictions based on specific channels (i.e. only programs on ESPN, DISCOVERY, CNN, or VH1, or alternatively, only programs on channels 8, 12, 25, 45, or 54).
- Search program 300 compares the search terms to the buffered text ( 310 ). Search program 300 will compare the search terms to the terms contained within the buffer. In comparing the search terms with the buffered programs, search program 300 will also create a list of synonym search terms. By accessing a thesaurus database, search program 300 can obtain relevant synonyms and use those terms to search the buffered text as well. When the search term matches a word in the buffered text, search program 300 will mark the program and continue to search through the rest of the buffered text. When the entire buffered text has been searched, search program 300 evaluates the relevancy of each flagged item.
- search program 300 looks to the original search terms, the synonyms search terms, the lexically parsed search terms, and the date, time and channel specified by the user. Search program 300 then ranks the flagged items from most relevant to least relevant.
- Search program 300 then displays the list of television programs which were previously marked in step 310 ( 312 ). Search program 300 will organize the results of the search according to how well they correspond to the entered search criteria. The results of the search are displayed with the time and television channel pertaining to the television program. The user then browses the television programs returned in step 312 ( 314 ) and makes a determination whether they would like to conduct another search ( 316 ). If the user does want to conduct another search, search program 300 returns to step 308 . If the user does not want to conduct another search, the user makes a determination whether they would like to select a television program ( 318 ).
- search program 300 displays the selected television program ( 320 ), and search program 300 ends ( 322 ). If the user does not want to select a television program, then search program 300 ends ( 322 ).
- FIG. 4 is a depiction of the flowchart for archive program 400 .
- Archive program 400 begins ( 402 ) and the user selects an archive option from the logical unit ( 410 ).
- a television signal is received by the logical unit ( 420 ) and the logical unit identifies a segment of the signal to block ( 430 ).
- the logical unit blocks the identified segment ( 440 ) and sends the blocked segment to the archive ( 450 ).
- a determination is made as to whether or not there is another signal to be analyzed ( 460 ). If there is another signal to be analyzed archive program 400 goes to step 410 . If there is not another signal to be analyzed, archive program 400 ends ( 470 ).
- FIG. 5 is a depiction of the flowchart for the archive interrogation program (AIP) 500 .
- AIP 502 begins and the user selects the AIP option from the logical unit ( 510 ). The user enters the search terms desired to locate commercials in a particular area of interest ( 512 ). The logical unit compares the search terms to text in the archived segments ( 514 ). The logical unit returns a list of matches ( 516 ). The user browses the list of matches ( 516 ). A determination is made as to whether the user wants to select a segment ( 522 ). If the user wants to select a segment, the user selects a segment from the list of matches ( 524 ). AIP 500 sends the selected segment to an open channel for viewing ( 526 ). A determination is made as to whether the user wants to conduct another search ( 528 ). If the user wants to conduct another search, the AIP 500 goes to step 512 . If the user does not want to conduct another search, AIP 500 ends ( 530 ).
- FIG. 6 is a depiction of the data processing system 600 contained within logical unit 106 (See FIG. 1 ).
- Data processing system 600 comprises processor 602 , boot rom 604 , and LCD controller 605 coupled to system bus 606 .
- memory controller/cache 608 Also connected to system bus 606 is memory controller/cache 608 , which provides an interface to local memory 609 .
- I/O bus bridge 610 is connected to system bus 606 and provides an interface to I/O bus 612 .
- Memory controller/cache 608 and I/O bus bridge 610 may be integrated as depicted. Peripheral components are connected via I/O bus 612 .
- Typical peripheral components include Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) 618 , a keypad or touch screen 620 , digital-to-analog converters 628 , analog-to-digital converters 630 , serial interface controller 640 , clocks and timers 642 , cable output to the television 644 , power controller 646 , cable input from the cable provider 648 , and infrared ports 650 .
- UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
- a keypad or touch screen 620 digital-to-analog converters 628 , analog-to-digital converters 630 , serial interface controller 640 , clocks and timers 642 , cable output to the television 644 , power controller 646 , cable input from the cable provider 648 , and infrared ports 650 .
- UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
- a keypad or touch screen 620 digital-to-analog converters 628 , analog-to-digital converters
- the inventive concept contained herein can be utilized to block all commercials and display only desired programming.
- the logical unit can buffer the entire multiplexed signal, delay the signal a pre-determined time (i.e. sixty seconds) and block out all television programming that is not greater than sixty seconds. This would block all thirty and sixty second television commercials.
- This implementation can also be orchestrated at the cable provider rather than the user's television or the logical unit.
- the user may have the option to block selected commercials permanently (without the recourse to unblock the commercial at a later time) while designating other commercials as non-permanently blocked commercials (with the recourse to unblock the commercial at a later time).
- the user may have the option to block all previously blocked commercials (and to view new commercials) or to block all commercials.
- the user may be provided with the option to block, unblock and access the programming of the logical unit by means of voice commands or audible signals such as clapping.
Abstract
Description
- This application is related to application Ser. No. 10/105,124, “Apparatus and Method of Searching for Desired Television Content,” application Ser. No. 10/116,613, “Apparatus and Method for Blocking Television Commercials and Displaying Alternative Programming,” and to Application docket number AUS920020258US1, “Apparatus and Method for Blocking Television Commercials and Displaying Micro-Programming Content.”
- The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for blocking undesired television commercials and providing a program for creating an archive of the blocked television commercials and for interrogating the content of the blocked television commercials for later access.
- Debates today rage about both the delivery and funding of informational content in all of its forms. On the Internet, many content providers are moving away from their advertisement-based business models and moving towards subscription-based business models. Despite rapid advances in technology, the delivery mechanisms and methods of generating revenue for content delivered through television broadcasts have been relatively stagnant, when compared to the delivery mechanisms and methods of generating revenue for the Internet and web delivery systems. In television broadcasts, advertisers still attempt to reach users using the same techniques that they have used for decades which are the thirty and sixty second commercials interspaced throughout specific television programs. In addition to technology, the viewer is becoming increasingly sophisticated and is demanding that every second of their time, whether engaged in work or leisure pursuits, be well spent. For the vast majority of television viewers, time engaged in viewing undesired advertisements is not considered time well spent. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus and method of preventing a television viewer from viewing unwanted commercials.
- Additionally, television viewers generally do not prefer to have periods of interrupted programming or “dead air” when they are viewing a program. It would be preferable if the blocked commercial could be replaced with user-defined alternative programming.
- Application Ser. No. 10/116,613, “Apparatus and Method for Blocking Television Commercials and Displaying Alternative Programming” disclosed a logical unit and a commercial blocking program in the logical unit to allow alternative viewing options so that the user may define the alternative programming to replace the unwanted communication. The commercial blocking program breaks all incoming television signals into time, video and audio components and is able to recognize specific commercials based on those components. Upon viewing an unwanted commercial, the user indicates that he wants to block the commercial through one of a variety of input methods. The commercial blocking program then prevents the commercial from being displayed on the user's television and causes alternative programming to be displayed instead. The user may configure the alternative programming via the alternative programming logic. The user may configure the alternative programming as a universal television channel, based on the specific commercial, based on the television station, based on the time of day, or based on an elaborate viewing hierarchy. At the end of the blocked commercial, the commercial blocking program displays the television program that was originally displayed on the user's television. Alternatively, the commercial blocking program can buffer the various television programs received from the cable provider and record segments of the cable signal based on certain keywords. The commercial blocking program searches for user defined keywords, records television programs complying with the search terms, and displays the recorded television programming stored in the memory.
- Application Ser. No. 10/105,124, “Apparatus and Method of Searching for Desired Television Content, disclosed an apparatus and method for allowing a user to search for specific content across many television channels in order to locate desirable television shows related to the searched content. Multiplexed cable signals flow thorough a logical unit which buffers text associated with the voice stream of each station via the pre-encoded closed-captioning signal or through the real-time voice translation within the logical unit. The user then enters search terms through one of a variety of different input devices. Upon entry of the search terms, the logical unit will compare the entered term with those available keywords stored in each buffer. Lexical parsing associates terms which may differ from plural to singular forms or in tense. Additionally, synonym comparisons may be made. The logical unit will return a list of matches for the search criteria and allows the user the option of going directly to the television program. The logical unit also evaluates each returned item for its relevancy to the keywords. When not in use, the logical unit maintains a quiescent but monitoring state permitting continuous creation of lexical buffers. This permits the user who turns the television on to immediately have such search terms available. Alternatively, the logic is implemented at the cable provider and enabled through interactive links to the home. In that case, the home logical unit is unnecessary.
- What is needed is an archive of blocked television commercials and an application of the television content searching engine to the archive of blocked television commercials so that a user may access an archive of blocked commercials based upon a user search criteria.
- The present invention, which meets the needs stated above, is an apparatus and method for blocking specific television commercials from the viewer's television based upon the characteristics of the television commercial and a program to place the blocked television commercials into an archive. An archive interrogation program then acquires the users search criteria and sends the search criteria to the content search program for a list of matches. The matches are displayed to the user and the user can select a segment for viewing.
-
FIG. 1 is an illustration of the invention interacting with a cable provider and a television. -
FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the commercial blocking program. -
FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the commercial blocking program. -
FIG. 2C is a flowchart of the commercial blocking program. -
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the search program. -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the archive program. -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the archive interrogation program. -
FIG. 6 is a depiction of the data processing system contained within the logical unit. - The terms below are defined for all uses herein as follows:
- “Alternate viewing” means content displayed in place of a blocked commercial and may include one or more of the following: (1) a brief message displayed to inform the viewer that alternative programming will be presented during the commercial interval; (2) an on-screen counter, showing how many seconds are left before the planned return to primary viewing; and (3) directions to the tuner to go to a particular station. The directions to the tuner may be universal, by commercial, by originating station, by time of day, by definition of an elaborate viewing hierarchy, or to a micro-programming station or to buffered microprogramming.
- “Alternate viewing provider” means an entity that offers micro-programming to a user for display in conjunction with a logical unit.
- “Archive” means a copy of one or blocked commercials that are saved for future reference or research.
- “Buffered” means an alternate viewing package stored in the memory of a logical unit or at the cable service provider so that synchronization problems between the “switchover” point and the alternate programming delivery do not occur. In other words, when a request for alternative programming is made, the logical unit can draw from a buffered alternate viewing package so that the user does not risk joining the alternate viewing package in progress.
- “Buffering” means a process of examining the closed captioning text or audio signal associated with television signals and configuring the examined signal such that it may be searched for specific keywords.
- “By commercial” means using content from a particular station to replace the specifically identified commercial.
- “By originating station” means using the original station to determine the alternative content which will replace all blocked commercials.
- “By time of day” means using the time of day to determine which station to use as alternative content for all blocked commercials.
- “Cable provider” means a company which provides television service to multiple users and includes satellite television providers.
- “Component signature” is a group of variables, based on a time component, an X video component, a Y video component, and an audio component, that is used to identify a commercial from all other commercials when a “unique digital identifying tag is not available.
- “Cumulative digital signature” means the aggregation of one or more selected characteristics of a data sequence to provide a unique number for identification of the complete data sequence.
- “Elaborate viewing hierarchy” means a combination of a plurality of universal, by commercial, by originating station, or by time or day alternative viewing formats.
- “Lexical parsing” as used herein means a process of finding matches to a desired search term by comparing the desired search term letter-by-letter with the terms in an available database.
- “Micro-programming,” means one or more “alternate viewing packages” that each contain a complete information exchange or an entertainment package in a segment of time that is adapted to fit into the time available from one or more commercials blocked by a logical unit. For example, an alternate viewing package could contain news headlines, weather updates, sports updates, or very short live action or animated shorts that are designed to entertain the user in a crisp, concise segment. An alternate viewing package would normally be thirty or sixty seconds in length but could be designed for any length of time that a logical unit could make available.
- “Multiplex” means the process of funneling several different streams of data over a common communications line.
- “Staggered time alternate viewing package” means an alternate viewing package broadcast on start times that are staggered for a number of seconds to coincide with the time slots of blocked commercials. For example, an alternate viewing package may start at the top and bottom of the minute on a given station, and at 15 and 45 seconds on another station. Accordingly, the station with the alternate viewing package start time closest to the start time of the blocked commercial would be chosen.
- “Time synchronized” means an alternate viewing package, delivered on demand in which the user joins the broadcast at the exact start point of the micro-program.
- “Unique digital identifying tag” means a number sequence before the header and after the trailer of each commercial. The number sequence is assigned according to an industry standard that allows each commercial to be identified from every other commercial.
- “Universal” means using content from a particular station to replace all blocked commercials.
-
FIG. 1 is an illustration of theinvention 100 interacting with a cable provider and a television set. The depiction of the cable provider is by way of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be used with either a cable or wireless data transmission system. The cable provider (not shown) provides a television signal through acoaxial cable 102 that runs through the user'swall 104 and intological unit 106.Logical unit 106 analyzes the cable signal as described below and displays the information ontelevision 110 viatelevision connection 108.Logical unit 106 can optionally be combined withtelevision 110. Alternatively,logical unit 106 may be placed at the same location as the cable provider such that it is unnecessary to havelogical unit 106 at the user's location. -
FIG. 2A is a flowchart ofcommercial blocking program 200 which operates insidelogical unit 106.Commercial blocking program 200 starts (202) whenever multiplexed cable signals are broadcast (204). In the preferred embodiment, each commercial has a unique digital identifying tag, similar to a serial number, which identifies a particular commercial.Logical unit 106 recognizes a particular commercial based on the unique identifying tag. - In an alternate embodiment,
logical unit 106 identifies commercials by a “component signature.” Multiplexed cable signals are defined by four components: a time component, an X video component, a Y video component, and an audio component. Every television program and/or commercial can be readily identified by these components. There is generally allowed some amount of time skew in the synchronization of the four components to identify the absolute beginning of a program or commercial. By taking the time skew into consideration,commercial blocking program 200 can identify a particular commercial. For example, a given pattern of video/audio signals occurring at a time “delta” (perhaps but not necessarily in the order of 500 microseconds) around the nominal beginning of an advertisement, may point back to a specified commercial. - Alternatively,
logical unit 106 establishes an “overall digital signature” for a particular commercial. In this event, the signal need not be dissembled into its video/audio components as in the “component signature,” but rather, analysis of cumulative digital characteristics may be used to identify the commercial to be blocked. One or more characteristics of a data sequence is selected and aggregated to provide a unique number for identification purposes of the complete data sequence. The advantage of using cumulative digital characteristics is that all commercials could be blocked using this technique. In the case of commercials to be identified by an “overall digital signature,” the logical unit develops a library at the set-top of the “overall digital signature” of the blocked advertisements. For example, it may be assumed that some time interval, “Tsample” is great enough to ascertain with accuracies approaching one hundred percent the identity of a given advertisement. “Tsample” may be a sub-second or it may be multi-second, depending on the processing power behind the logical unit and the uniqueness of the commercial. Once a commercial signal is detected to be identical to a blocked advertisement, then the logical unit takes the actions it has been programmed to implement. - As a commercial airs, the user has the option of blocking the commercial (206) by means of
commercial blocking program 200 located in the local memory 209 of logical unit 106 (SeeFIGS. 1 and 6 ). If the user chooses not to block the commercial, thencommercial blocking program 200 allows the commercial to air (207) and returns to step 206. If atstep 206 the user chooses to block the commercial, then the logical unit will block the commercial (208). In blocking the commercial, the logical unit prevents the specific commercial from displaying on the user's television and displays alternative content instead (210). Aftercommercial blocking program 200 has displayed the alternative programming, the original programming of the original television channel is displayed (212) andcommercial blocking program 200 ends (214). - There are many different types of alternative programming that
commercial blocking program 200 can display on the user's television instead of the blocked commercial. In one embodiment,commercial blocking program 200 can display a blank screen for the duration of the blocked commercial. However, in the preferred embodiment,commercial blocking program 200 displays the programming according toalternative programming logic 250 inFIGS. 2B and 2C .Alternative programming logic 250 starts (252) and queries the user if he or she would like to define the alternative programming as a universal television channel that will replace all blocked television commercials (254). A universal television channel is one which will display the contents of a specific television channel on the user's television whenever the blocked commercial airs. For example, whenever a blocked commercial airs,commercial blocking program 200 will cause the The Weather Channel to be displayed. A universal television channel may include Web TV or any programming variation that may be made available to the user of the television to which the logical unit is connected. If the user determines that they would like to select a universal alternative channel, then the user specifies which channel is the universal television channel (256) andalternative programming logic 250 ends (294). If atstep 254 the user determines that he or she would not like to select a universal television channel, thenalternative programming logic 250 queries the user if he or she would like to define the alternative programming based on the blocked commercial (258). Alternative programming based on the blocked commercial will display a particular television channel whenever a specific blocked commercial airs. For example, whenever commercial X airs,commercial blocking program 200 will cause The Weather Channel to be displayed. If the user determines that he or she would like to define the alternative programming based on the blocked commercial, then the user selects a specific television channel that will display whenever the specific television commercial airs (260) andalternative programming logic 250 ends (298). If the user determines atstep 258 that he or she do not want to define the alternative programming based on the commercial,alternative programming logic 250 queries the user whether he or she would like to define alternative programming based on the television channel (262). Alternative programming based on the television channel will display television content based on a preferred television channel and a contingent television channel when the blocked commercial airs. For example, whenever a blocked commercial airs, The Weather Channel will be displayed, and in the event The Weather Channel is already being displayed, then CNN will be displayed. If the user determines that he or she would like to define the alternative programming based on the television channel, then the user defines the preferred and contingent television channels (264) andalternative programming logic 250 ends (298). If atstep 262 the user determines that he or she does not want to define alternative programming based on the television channel, thenalternative programming logic 250 queries the user whether he or she would like to define alternative programming based on the time of day (266). Alternative programming based on the time of day displays a specific television channel depending on the time of the blocked commercial. For example, if the blocked commercial airs before noon, The Weather Channel will be displayed, and if the blocked commercial airs after noon, CNN will be displayed. If the user would like to define the alternative programming based on the time of day, then the user defines the alternative television channels and the time associated with each alternate channel (268) andalternative programming logic 250 ends (298). If atstep 266 the user determines that he or she does not want to define the alternative programming based on the time of day,alternative programming logic 250 queries the user whether he or she would like to define alternative programming based on an elaborate viewing hierarchy (270). - An elaborate viewing hierarchy is a combination of the alternative programming determinations in
steps alternative programming logic 250 ends (298). If atstep 270 the user determines that he or she would not like to define an alternative viewing hierarchy,alternative programming logic 250 goes to step 282 (SeeFIG. 2C ). - Next a determination is made as to whether the user wants to select micro-programming (282). If the user does not want to select micro-programming,
alternate programming logic 250 ends (298). If atstep 282 the user determines that he or she wants to select microprogramming, a determination is made as to whether staggered time alternate viewing packages are desired (284). If staggered time alternate viewing packages are desired, then the selection is entered (286) andalternate programming logic 250 goes to step 296. If staggered time alternate viewing packages are not selected, then a determination is made as to whether the user wants to select time synchronized alternate viewing packages (288). If the user desires to selected time synchronized alternate viewing packages, then the selection is entered (290) andalternate programming logic 250 goes to step 296. If the user does not select time synchronized alternate viewing packages, then a determination is made as to whether a buffered alternate viewing package is desired (292). If a buffered alternate viewing package is desired, then the selection is entered (294). If a buffered alternate viewing package is not desired, then a determination is made as to whether another selection is made (296). If another selection is to be made,alternate programming logic 250 goes to step 284. If another selection is not to be made,alternate programming logic 250 ends (298). A default option may also be available if the alternate viewing service provider plays continuously broadcast alternate viewing packages. In that case the default option would be that the television would move to the alternate viewing broadcast at the time of the blocked commercial and pick up the alternate viewing package playing at that time. - In an alternative embodiment of
alternative programming logic 250, a negative determination atstep 296 would send the user back to step 254 so that the options may be viewed again. Additionally, there are other types of alternative programming which may be displayed atstep 210. The user can then enter search criteria andsearch program 200 will record the television signal based on the specific time, channel, and/or keywords. For example, whenever “and now your local forecast” is found in the audio component of the cable signal for The Weather Channel,logical unit 106 can record the accompanying local forecast. Additionally,logical unit 106 can be set to record a specific show. For example,logical unit 106 could be set to record the 11 a.m. Sports Center on ESPN. In either case, the recorded programming can be displayed in place of the blocked commercial. -
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the search program contained withinlogical unit 106 of the present invention.Search program 300 starts (302) andlogical unit 106 receives the cable signal transmitted by the cable provider (304). The cable signal is multiplexed and comprises at least a visual signal, an audio signal, and a closed caption text signal. Moreover, the multiplexed cable signal is not limited to real-time cable programming. The multiplexed signal may also contain information regarding past and future television programs. Aslogical unit 106 receives the signal,search program 300 continuously buffers the transmitted multiplexed cable signal (306). In buffering the signal,search program 300 obtains the closed-caption text from the cable signal and store the words contained in the captioning text along with the television channel number and time of the television program. Alternatively,search program 300 can buffer the television signal by analyzing the audio signal and buffering the keywords from the audio signal. The text buffering described above is known in the art. Furthermore, the buffering process is not limited to one television channel or one specific time period. If a user desires to buffer different channels at different times, then the user may do so by means ofsearch program 300. For example, ifsearch program 300 has ten hours of buffering time available, the user can havesearch program 300 buffer ten hours of a channel such as Cable Network News (CNN). Alternatively,search program 300 can buffer four hours of CBS, four hours of CNN, and two hours of the weather channel. Furthermore, the buffering times do not have to be similar. The user can define the CBS buffering time from 5 am to 9 am, the CNN buffering time from 8 am to noon, and the weather channel from 1 pm to 3 pm. Additionally,search program 300 is not limited to the English language.Search program 300 is capable of buffering television in multiple languages simultaneously. Thus, at any giventime search program 300 is capable of buffering an enormous variety of television programs. - The user then enters keyword terms that represent the search criteria for search program 300 (308). The search terms can be entered via a keyboard, stylus, infrared port, or on-screen programming. In entering the search terms,
search program 300 will recognize conventional Boolean search terms such as “AND”, “OR”, and “NOT”.Search program 300 is capable of accepting wildcard search terms. For example, the wildcard search term “run*” would search for run and all possible variations such as runner, running, runners, and so on.Search program 300 also compares each of the search terms to a dictionary database. If any of the search terms are not in the dictionary database,search program 300 will determine related words using lexical parsing and query the user if the terms are relevant to the desired search. Lexical parsing solves the problem of tense variation in the search terms.Search program 300 is also capable of resolving ambiguities in entered search terms by comparing the search terms to the dictionary database. Those skilled in the art are aware of how to configure a search program to resolve ambiguities. In alternative embodiments, the query step can be removed wheresearch program 300 automatically adds the lexically parsed words to the list of search terms. Additionally, the search criteria can comprise a date restriction (i.e. only today's programs, only programs on this week, or only programs on Tuesdays). Furthermore, the search criteria can comprise restrictions based on specific channels (i.e. only programs on ESPN, DISCOVERY, CNN, or VH1, or alternatively, only programs on channels 8, 12, 25, 45, or 54). -
Search program 300 then compares the search terms to the buffered text (310).Search program 300 will compare the search terms to the terms contained within the buffer. In comparing the search terms with the buffered programs,search program 300 will also create a list of synonym search terms. By accessing a thesaurus database,search program 300 can obtain relevant synonyms and use those terms to search the buffered text as well. When the search term matches a word in the buffered text,search program 300 will mark the program and continue to search through the rest of the buffered text. When the entire buffered text has been searched,search program 300 evaluates the relevancy of each flagged item. In evaluating the relevancy of each flagged item,search program 300 looks to the original search terms, the synonyms search terms, the lexically parsed search terms, and the date, time and channel specified by the user.Search program 300 then ranks the flagged items from most relevant to least relevant. -
Search program 300 then displays the list of television programs which were previously marked in step 310 (312).Search program 300 will organize the results of the search according to how well they correspond to the entered search criteria. The results of the search are displayed with the time and television channel pertaining to the television program. The user then browses the television programs returned in step 312 (314) and makes a determination whether they would like to conduct another search (316). If the user does want to conduct another search,search program 300 returns to step 308. If the user does not want to conduct another search, the user makes a determination whether they would like to select a television program (318). If the user decides to select a television program, the user selects a television program,search program 300 displays the selected television program (320), andsearch program 300 ends (322). If the user does not want to select a television program, thensearch program 300 ends (322). -
FIG. 4 is a depiction of the flowchart for archive program 400. Archive program 400 begins (402) and the user selects an archive option from the logical unit (410). A television signal is received by the logical unit (420) and the logical unit identifies a segment of the signal to block (430). The logical unit blocks the identified segment (440) and sends the blocked segment to the archive (450). A determination is made as to whether or not there is another signal to be analyzed (460). If there is another signal to be analyzed archive program 400 goes to step 410. If there is not another signal to be analyzed, archive program 400 ends (470). -
FIG. 5 is a depiction of the flowchart for the archive interrogation program (AIP) 500.AIP 502 begins and the user selects the AIP option from the logical unit (510). The user enters the search terms desired to locate commercials in a particular area of interest (512). The logical unit compares the search terms to text in the archived segments (514). The logical unit returns a list of matches (516). The user browses the list of matches (516). A determination is made as to whether the user wants to select a segment (522). If the user wants to select a segment, the user selects a segment from the list of matches (524).AIP 500 sends the selected segment to an open channel for viewing (526). A determination is made as to whether the user wants to conduct another search (528). If the user wants to conduct another search, theAIP 500 goes to step 512. If the user does not want to conduct another search,AIP 500 ends (530). -
FIG. 6 is a depiction of thedata processing system 600 contained within logical unit 106 (SeeFIG. 1 ).Data processing system 600 comprisesprocessor 602,boot rom 604, andLCD controller 605 coupled tosystem bus 606. Also connected tosystem bus 606 is memory controller/cache 608, which provides an interface tolocal memory 609. I/O bus bridge 610 is connected tosystem bus 606 and provides an interface to I/O bus 612. Memory controller/cache 608 and I/O bus bridge 610 may be integrated as depicted. Peripheral components are connected via I/O bus 612. Typical peripheral components include Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) 618, a keypad ortouch screen 620, digital-to-analog converters 628, analog-to-digital converters 630,serial interface controller 640, clocks andtimers 642, cable output to thetelevision 644,power controller 646, cable input from thecable provider 648, andinfrared ports 650. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the depiction ofdata processing system 600 inFIG. 3 is exemplary and is not intended as an architectural limitation of the present invention.Data processing system 600 may be a separate single controller. - Many optional features can be displayed along with the alternative programming. For example, it may be beneficial to display a timer in the corner of the screen which shows the time remaining until the end of the blocked commercial. Additionally, the user may desire to have a brief description of which commercial is being blocked. Moreover, the user may wish to have a timer counting down the amount of time until the desired television content returns. Furthermore, the inventive concept contained herein can be utilized to block all commercials and display only desired programming. Alternatively, the logical unit can buffer the entire multiplexed signal, delay the signal a pre-determined time (i.e. sixty seconds) and block out all television programming that is not greater than sixty seconds. This would block all thirty and sixty second television commercials. This implementation can also be orchestrated at the cable provider rather than the user's television or the logical unit. The user may have the option to block selected commercials permanently (without the recourse to unblock the commercial at a later time) while designating other commercials as non-permanently blocked commercials (with the recourse to unblock the commercial at a later time). The user may have the option to block all previously blocked commercials (and to view new commercials) or to block all commercials. In addition, the user may be provided with the option to block, unblock and access the programming of the logical unit by means of voice commands or audible signals such as clapping.
- With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Claims (29)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/253,818 US8359613B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2008-10-17 | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
US13/745,977 US8839283B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2013-01-21 | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/205,550 US7454772B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2002-07-25 | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
US12/253,818 US8359613B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2008-10-17 | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/205,550 Continuation US7454772B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2002-07-25 | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/745,977 Continuation US8839283B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2013-01-21 | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090031337A1 true US20090031337A1 (en) | 2009-01-29 |
US8359613B2 US8359613B2 (en) | 2013-01-22 |
Family
ID=30770094
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/205,550 Active 2025-11-09 US7454772B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2002-07-25 | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
US12/253,818 Expired - Fee Related US8359613B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2008-10-17 | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
US13/745,977 Expired - Fee Related US8839283B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2013-01-21 | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/205,550 Active 2025-11-09 US7454772B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2002-07-25 | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/745,977 Expired - Fee Related US8839283B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2013-01-21 | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US7454772B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070204295A1 (en) * | 2006-02-24 | 2007-08-30 | Orion Electric Co., Ltd. | Digital broadcast receiver |
US8839283B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2014-09-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
Families Citing this family (52)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6769128B1 (en) | 1995-06-07 | 2004-07-27 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access |
BRPI9812104B1 (en) | 1997-07-21 | 2016-12-27 | Guide E Inc | method for navigating an interactive program guide |
US6898762B2 (en) | 1998-08-21 | 2005-05-24 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Client-server electronic program guide |
EP1611745A1 (en) * | 2003-03-28 | 2006-01-04 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Data block detect by fingerprint |
CA2505329C (en) * | 2004-04-26 | 2013-01-22 | General Mills Ip Holdings Ii, Llc | Low sugar presweetened dry coated cereals and method of preparation |
US20060013555A1 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2006-01-19 | Thomas Poslinski | Commercial progress bar |
US20060013557A1 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2006-01-19 | Thomas Poslinski | Suppression of trick modes in commercial playback |
US20060013554A1 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2006-01-19 | Thomas Poslinski | Commercial storage and retrieval |
US20060013556A1 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2006-01-19 | Thomas Poslinski | Commercial information and guide |
US20060020971A1 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2006-01-26 | Thomas Poslinski | Multi channel program guide with integrated progress bars |
US20060020966A1 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2006-01-26 | Thomas Poslinski | Program guide with integrated progress bar |
US8359611B2 (en) * | 2005-03-08 | 2013-01-22 | International Business Machines Corporation | Searchable television commercials |
US7865478B2 (en) * | 2005-06-04 | 2011-01-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | Based on repeated experience, system for modification of expression and negating overload from media and optimizing referential efficiency |
US7835998B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2010-11-16 | Veveo, Inc. | Methods and systems for selecting and presenting content on a first system based on user preferences learned on a second system |
US8316394B2 (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2012-11-20 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Interactive media guidance application with intelligent navigation and display features |
US7801888B2 (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2010-09-21 | Microsoft Corporation | Media content search results ranked by popularity |
US20090222853A1 (en) * | 2008-02-29 | 2009-09-03 | At&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. | Advertisement Replacement System |
WO2012047671A1 (en) * | 2010-09-27 | 2012-04-12 | Hulu Llc | Method and apparatus for interrupting an advertisement and the substitution of alternate advertisement |
US20100061709A1 (en) * | 2008-09-05 | 2010-03-11 | Davender Agnihotri | Ad Menu for skipped advertisements |
US9137474B2 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2015-09-15 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Intelligent remote control |
US9190110B2 (en) | 2009-05-12 | 2015-11-17 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | System and method for assembling a recorded composition |
US9166714B2 (en) | 2009-09-11 | 2015-10-20 | Veveo, Inc. | Method of and system for presenting enriched video viewing analytics |
US11232458B2 (en) | 2010-02-17 | 2022-01-25 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | System and method for data mining within interactive multimedia |
EP2622557B1 (en) | 2010-09-27 | 2019-07-17 | Hulu, LLC | Method and apparatus for providing directed advertising based on user preferences |
US9736524B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2017-08-15 | Veveo, Inc. | Methods of and systems for content search based on environment sampling |
US8966520B2 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2015-02-24 | Hulu, LLC | Video ad swapping in a video streaming system |
US9009619B2 (en) | 2012-09-19 | 2015-04-14 | JBF Interlude 2009 Ltd—Israel | Progress bar for branched videos |
US9066159B2 (en) | 2012-10-23 | 2015-06-23 | Hulu, LLC | User control of ad selection for subsequent ad break of a video |
US8966521B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2015-02-24 | The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc | Methods and apparatus to present supplemental media on a second screen |
US9257148B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2016-02-09 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | System and method for synchronization of selectably presentable media streams |
US9329757B1 (en) * | 2013-08-09 | 2016-05-03 | United Services Automobile Associates (USAA) | Concurrent channels of communication |
US10448119B2 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2019-10-15 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Methods and systems for unfolding video pre-roll |
US9653115B2 (en) | 2014-04-10 | 2017-05-16 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Systems and methods for creating linear video from branched video |
US9792957B2 (en) | 2014-10-08 | 2017-10-17 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Systems and methods for dynamic video bookmarking |
US11412276B2 (en) | 2014-10-10 | 2022-08-09 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Systems and methods for parallel track transitions |
US9876676B1 (en) * | 2015-03-27 | 2018-01-23 | VCE IP Holding Company LLC | Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for managing computing systems by a management orchestration module |
US10582265B2 (en) | 2015-04-30 | 2020-03-03 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Systems and methods for nonlinear video playback using linear real-time video players |
US10376673B2 (en) * | 2015-06-19 | 2019-08-13 | Evalve, Inc. | Catheter guiding system and methods |
US10460765B2 (en) | 2015-08-26 | 2019-10-29 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Systems and methods for adaptive and responsive video |
US11164548B2 (en) | 2015-12-22 | 2021-11-02 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Intelligent buffering of large-scale video |
US11128853B2 (en) | 2015-12-22 | 2021-09-21 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Seamless transitions in large-scale video |
US10462202B2 (en) | 2016-03-30 | 2019-10-29 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Media stream rate synchronization |
US11856271B2 (en) | 2016-04-12 | 2023-12-26 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Symbiotic interactive video |
US10218760B2 (en) | 2016-06-22 | 2019-02-26 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Dynamic summary generation for real-time switchable videos |
US11050809B2 (en) | 2016-12-30 | 2021-06-29 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Systems and methods for dynamic weighting of branched video paths |
US10249996B2 (en) * | 2017-01-04 | 2019-04-02 | Richard Jon Hassey | Television commercial silencer electrical wall outlet receptacle tap |
US10257578B1 (en) | 2018-01-05 | 2019-04-09 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Dynamic library display for interactive videos |
US11601721B2 (en) | 2018-06-04 | 2023-03-07 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Interactive video dynamic adaptation and user profiling |
US11490047B2 (en) | 2019-10-02 | 2022-11-01 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting video aspect ratios |
US11245961B2 (en) | 2020-02-18 | 2022-02-08 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | System and methods for detecting anomalous activities for interactive videos |
US11882337B2 (en) | 2021-05-28 | 2024-01-23 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Automated platform for generating interactive videos |
US11934477B2 (en) | 2021-09-24 | 2024-03-19 | JBF Interlude 2009 LTD | Video player integration within websites |
Citations (36)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5481296A (en) * | 1993-08-06 | 1996-01-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for selectively viewing video information |
US5703655A (en) * | 1995-03-24 | 1997-12-30 | U S West Technologies, Inc. | Video programming retrieval using extracted closed caption data which has been partitioned and stored to facilitate a search and retrieval process |
US5754939A (en) * | 1994-11-29 | 1998-05-19 | Herz; Frederick S. M. | System for generation of user profiles for a system for customized electronic identification of desirable objects |
US5949476A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1999-09-07 | Cableshare, Inc. | Television system distributing a dynamically varying number of concurrent video presentations over a single television channel |
US5973723A (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-10-26 | Deluca; Michael Joseph | Selective commercial detector and eliminator apparatus and method |
US6005561A (en) * | 1994-12-14 | 1999-12-21 | The 3Do Company | Interactive information delivery system |
US6141678A (en) * | 1998-04-29 | 2000-10-31 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Presenting information relating to a program by recognizing text in closed captioning data |
US6144376A (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 2000-11-07 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for merging, displaying and accessing personal computer content listings via a television user interface |
US6215526B1 (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2001-04-10 | Tivo, Inc. | Analog video tagging and encoding system |
US6266094B1 (en) * | 1999-06-14 | 2001-07-24 | Medialink Worldwide Incorporated | Method and apparatus for the aggregation and selective retrieval of television closed caption word content originating from multiple geographic locations |
US20010013123A1 (en) * | 1991-11-25 | 2001-08-09 | Freeman Michael J. | Customized program creation by splicing server based video, audio, or graphical segments |
US6298482B1 (en) * | 1997-11-12 | 2001-10-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for two-way digital multimedia broadcast and interactive services |
US6370543B2 (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 2002-04-09 | Magnifi, Inc. | Display of media previews |
US20020042923A1 (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 2002-04-11 | Asmussen Michael L. | Video and digital multimedia aggregator content suggestion engine |
US20020083442A1 (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2002-06-27 | Eldering Charles A. | Queue-based head-end advertisement scheduling method and apparatus |
US20020131511A1 (en) * | 2000-08-25 | 2002-09-19 | Ian Zenoni | Video tags and markers |
US20020138834A1 (en) * | 2000-08-14 | 2002-09-26 | George Gerba | System and method for displaying advertising in an interactive program guide |
US20020174430A1 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2002-11-21 | Ellis Michael D. | Systems and methods for interactive program guides with personal video recording features |
US20020194593A1 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2002-12-19 | Ted Tsuchida | Method of substituting content during program breaks |
US20030014747A1 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2003-01-16 | Clemente Spehr | Method and device for suppressing unwanted program parts for entertainment electronics devices |
US20030044002A1 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2003-03-06 | Yeager David M. | Three dimensional audio telephony |
US6577346B1 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2003-06-10 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Recognizing a pattern in a video segment to identify the video segment |
US6581207B1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2003-06-17 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Information filtering system and method |
US6597405B1 (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 2003-07-22 | Jerry Iggulden | Method and apparatus for automatically identifying and selectively altering segments of a television broadcast signal in real-time |
US20030149975A1 (en) * | 2002-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | Charles Eldering | Targeted advertising in on demand programming |
US20030163815A1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2003-08-28 | Lee Begeja | Method and system for personalized multimedia delivery service |
US20030172378A1 (en) * | 2002-03-07 | 2003-09-11 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and apparatus for creating a personal commercials channel |
US20030192045A1 (en) * | 2002-04-04 | 2003-10-09 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and displaying alternative programming |
US20030229893A1 (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2003-12-11 | Vito Sgaraglino | Multiple response means for interactive advertising and information systems |
US6801713B1 (en) * | 1998-07-01 | 2004-10-05 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Recorded program viewing support method |
US20040255321A1 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2004-12-16 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Content blocking |
US20040261096A1 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2004-12-23 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | System and method for monitoring blocked content |
US6949476B2 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2005-09-27 | Intel Corporation | Method of creating shielded structures to protect semiconductor devices |
US6983481B2 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2006-01-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials with a content interrogation program |
US7454772B2 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2008-11-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
US7467398B2 (en) * | 2002-03-21 | 2008-12-16 | International Business Machines Corproation | Apparatus and method of searching for desired television content |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1109400A1 (en) * | 1999-12-16 | 2001-06-20 | CANAL+ Société Anonyme | Transmission of a command to a receiver or to a decoder |
US8302127B2 (en) * | 2000-09-25 | 2012-10-30 | Thomson Licensing | System and method for personalized TV |
-
2002
- 2002-07-25 US US10/205,550 patent/US7454772B2/en active Active
-
2008
- 2008-10-17 US US12/253,818 patent/US8359613B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2013
- 2013-01-21 US US13/745,977 patent/US8839283B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (39)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010013123A1 (en) * | 1991-11-25 | 2001-08-09 | Freeman Michael J. | Customized program creation by splicing server based video, audio, or graphical segments |
US20020042923A1 (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 2002-04-11 | Asmussen Michael L. | Video and digital multimedia aggregator content suggestion engine |
US5481296A (en) * | 1993-08-06 | 1996-01-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for selectively viewing video information |
US5859662A (en) * | 1993-08-06 | 1999-01-12 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for selectively viewing video information |
US5949476A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1999-09-07 | Cableshare, Inc. | Television system distributing a dynamically varying number of concurrent video presentations over a single television channel |
US5754939A (en) * | 1994-11-29 | 1998-05-19 | Herz; Frederick S. M. | System for generation of user profiles for a system for customized electronic identification of desirable objects |
US6005561A (en) * | 1994-12-14 | 1999-12-21 | The 3Do Company | Interactive information delivery system |
US5703655A (en) * | 1995-03-24 | 1997-12-30 | U S West Technologies, Inc. | Video programming retrieval using extracted closed caption data which has been partitioned and stored to facilitate a search and retrieval process |
US6370543B2 (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 2002-04-09 | Magnifi, Inc. | Display of media previews |
US6597405B1 (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 2003-07-22 | Jerry Iggulden | Method and apparatus for automatically identifying and selectively altering segments of a television broadcast signal in real-time |
US6144376A (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 2000-11-07 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for merging, displaying and accessing personal computer content listings via a television user interface |
US6298482B1 (en) * | 1997-11-12 | 2001-10-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for two-way digital multimedia broadcast and interactive services |
US5973723A (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-10-26 | Deluca; Michael Joseph | Selective commercial detector and eliminator apparatus and method |
US6141678A (en) * | 1998-04-29 | 2000-10-31 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Presenting information relating to a program by recognizing text in closed captioning data |
US6581207B1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2003-06-17 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Information filtering system and method |
US6801713B1 (en) * | 1998-07-01 | 2004-10-05 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Recorded program viewing support method |
US6215526B1 (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2001-04-10 | Tivo, Inc. | Analog video tagging and encoding system |
US20030014747A1 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2003-01-16 | Clemente Spehr | Method and device for suppressing unwanted program parts for entertainment electronics devices |
US6266094B1 (en) * | 1999-06-14 | 2001-07-24 | Medialink Worldwide Incorporated | Method and apparatus for the aggregation and selective retrieval of television closed caption word content originating from multiple geographic locations |
US6577346B1 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2003-06-10 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Recognizing a pattern in a video segment to identify the video segment |
US6949476B2 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2005-09-27 | Intel Corporation | Method of creating shielded structures to protect semiconductor devices |
US20020138834A1 (en) * | 2000-08-14 | 2002-09-26 | George Gerba | System and method for displaying advertising in an interactive program guide |
US20020131511A1 (en) * | 2000-08-25 | 2002-09-19 | Ian Zenoni | Video tags and markers |
US20020083442A1 (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2002-06-27 | Eldering Charles A. | Queue-based head-end advertisement scheduling method and apparatus |
US20020174430A1 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2002-11-21 | Ellis Michael D. | Systems and methods for interactive program guides with personal video recording features |
US20030163815A1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2003-08-28 | Lee Begeja | Method and system for personalized multimedia delivery service |
US20030229893A1 (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2003-12-11 | Vito Sgaraglino | Multiple response means for interactive advertising and information systems |
US20020194593A1 (en) * | 2001-06-14 | 2002-12-19 | Ted Tsuchida | Method of substituting content during program breaks |
US20030044002A1 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2003-03-06 | Yeager David M. | Three dimensional audio telephony |
US20030149975A1 (en) * | 2002-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | Charles Eldering | Targeted advertising in on demand programming |
US20030172378A1 (en) * | 2002-03-07 | 2003-09-11 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and apparatus for creating a personal commercials channel |
US7467398B2 (en) * | 2002-03-21 | 2008-12-16 | International Business Machines Corproation | Apparatus and method of searching for desired television content |
US7685620B2 (en) * | 2002-03-21 | 2010-03-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method of searching for desired television content |
US20030192045A1 (en) * | 2002-04-04 | 2003-10-09 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and displaying alternative programming |
US20040255321A1 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2004-12-16 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Content blocking |
US20040261096A1 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2004-12-23 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | System and method for monitoring blocked content |
US7240354B2 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2007-07-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials with a content interrogation program |
US7454772B2 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2008-11-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
US6983481B2 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2006-01-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials with a content interrogation program |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8839283B2 (en) | 2002-07-25 | 2014-09-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program |
US20070204295A1 (en) * | 2006-02-24 | 2007-08-30 | Orion Electric Co., Ltd. | Digital broadcast receiver |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8359613B2 (en) | 2013-01-22 |
US7454772B2 (en) | 2008-11-18 |
US20130132992A1 (en) | 2013-05-23 |
US8839283B2 (en) | 2014-09-16 |
US20040019905A1 (en) | 2004-01-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7454772B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and providing an archive interrogation program | |
US6983481B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials with a content interrogation program | |
US7685620B2 (en) | Apparatus and method of searching for desired television content | |
US20030192045A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and displaying alternative programming | |
US8209724B2 (en) | Method and system for providing access to information of potential interest to a user | |
US5859662A (en) | Apparatus and method for selectively viewing video information | |
EP1410637A2 (en) | Transcript triggers for video enhancement | |
KR100233354B1 (en) | Interactive display system and interactive display recognition system | |
US20060167859A1 (en) | System and method for personalized searching of television content using a reduced keypad | |
US7367043B2 (en) | System and method for generating metadata for programming events | |
KR100973214B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for providing search service while broadcasting program | |
US20030093794A1 (en) | Method and system for personal information retrieval, update and presentation | |
JP4732815B2 (en) | Information recommendation device, information recommendation method, and program | |
KR20010086393A (en) | Method and apparatus for linking a video segment to another video segment or information source | |
US20030227475A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for blocking television commercials and delivering micro-programming content | |
JPH11164223A (en) | Information processor, information processing method broadcast system and broadcast method | |
JP2010087658A (en) | Broadcast receiver and program for extracting topical keyword from broadcast contents | |
Haas et al. | Personalized news through content augmentation and profiling | |
KR100694423B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for searching EPG information using a keyword index in a digital broadcasting receiver | |
KR20030071308A (en) | Digital Broadcast Receiver and Method for Providing Electronic Program Guide thereof | |
KR20040058397A (en) | Method for guiding program according to category |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20210122 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KYNDRYL, INC., NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:057885/0644 Effective date: 20210930 |